Lately, with the chilly weather, I have been enjoying the fireplace. I am lucky because, my husband, Jim will take care of everything that is needed, so all I have to do is get up out of bed, grab my coffee and sit in front of the fire to enjoy. I get out of bed early most mornings so I can enjoy the peacefulness of the day’s beginning. It’s a wonderful time to spend talking to Jim, relaxing with our pup Brody, listening to our bird Kozmo wake up, or just allow my mind wander. It starts my day with gratitude.
I keep myself busy and most days my schedule is fairly demanding. Even on my days off I have a “To Do List” that I worked to accomplish. So, taking time in the morning watching the fire and relaxing in the warmth is special for me. The problem is, I also feel guilty thinking I should do something productive. So far, the peaceful moments have won, and I have enjoyed several fires on these chilly mornings.
“Stop and smell the roses” may be a cliché, but new research suggests it’s sound advice for finding satisfaction in life. This research measured levels of appreciation and feelings of a positive emotional connection to it. The study found that being high in appreciation was related to high life satisfaction regardless of one’s personality. So, are you learning to appreciate the moment you are living in, but also living in that moment? So many of us are not paying attention to the world around us. Perhaps you are just going with the flow and just living day to day without being involved in the world around you. Just letting life happen to you rather than making life happen for you. Smelling the roses is about living your life with intention.
So often we are living for the future or living in the past. We are missing out on what is right in front of us — our life! People neglect and procrastinate relationships, their health, and dreams, all thinking that “one day” it will magically come to fruition. This happens because they are not living in the moment. Goals set aside, we see ourselves on a long journey that spans many years, but the primary thought in our mind is the final destination. During this journey, we are restless, pacing around, looking ahead, moving, working, and just waiting to arrive at that destination. We are not taking time to be in the present moment and smell the roses.
Sometimes we have hints or signs that we are admiring nature, our relationships, health, etc., but we don’t spend enough time there to reap the benefits of a deeper appreciation of the world.
Despite a busy life, it is important to know how to be present in the moment; otherwise, those moments will pass you by. As the National Institute of Health puts it, it’s easy to fall into “autopilot,” but your ability to hit the pause button is essential to leading a fulfilling life. Think about what is important to you in the present moment and also what you would like to see happen in the short term and the longer term.
The best way to go about this is getting into a place of stillness and removing the clutter from your mind. Stopping to smell the roses is a metaphorical reminder to pause, look up from the things that we become busy with, and take in our surroundings. It’s a way to practice mindfulness, which can help clear away the mental clutter and increase focus, while fostering a greater sense of well-being and happiness. It also offers us the opportunity to take in our environment and to be grateful for the beauty that we interact with each day. Stopping to smell the roses, as a mindfulness practice, invites us to pause, reconnect, focus our energy and attention on our breath.
Like me, you may take moments to spend time with family before the day gets busy. Or perhaps working in a garden, playing with your pet or other types of mindful moments will be in your daily life. Whatever it is, I encourage you to take time to smell the roses and live your life with intention.
“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.” – Ashley Smith
Robin Anne Griffiths–Founder of ReChargeMe Zone * Behavioral Change Specialist * Yoga Instructor * Meditation Facilitator * Personal Trainer * Author * Speaker * Helping people on a journey for change to live a fuller and healthier life.
